Under the Big Black Sun

A Personal History of L.A. Punk

By: John Doe, Tom Desavia

Narrated by: Exene Cervenka, Henry Rollins, Various

Under the Big Black Sun explores the nascent Los Angeles punk rock movement and its evolution to hardcore punk as it’s never been told before. Authors John Doe and Tom DeSavia have woven together an enthralling story of the legendary west coast scene from 1977-1982 by enlisting the voices of people who were there. The book shares chapter-length tales from the authors along with personal essays from famous (and infamous) players in the scene. Additional authors include: Exene Cervenka (X), Henry Rollins (Black Flag), Mike Watt (The Minutemen), Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Go’s), Dave Alvin (The Blasters), Chris D. (Flesh Eaters), Jack Grisham (T.S.O.L.), Teresa Covarrubias (The Brat), Robert Lopez (The Zeros, El Vez), as well as scenesters and journalists Pleasant Gehman, Kristine McKenna, and Chris Morris. Through interstitial commentary, John Doe “narrates” this journey through the land of film noir sunshine, Hollywood back alleys, and suburban sprawl—the place where he met his artistic counterparts Exene, DJ Bonebrake, and Billy Zoom—and formed X, the band that became synonymous with, and in many ways defined, L.A. punk.

Under the Big Black Sun shares stories of friendship and love, ambition and feuds, grandiose dreams and cultural rage, all combined with the tattered, glossy sheen of pop culture weirdness that epitomized the operations of Hollywood’s underbelly. Readers will travel to the clubs that defined the scene, as well as to the street corners, empty lots, apartment complexes, and squats that served as de facto salons for the musicians, artists, and fringe players that hashed out what would become punk rock in Los Angeles.


Cast of Narrators:
Dave Alvin
Billie Joe Armstrong
Charlotte Caffey
Exene Cervenka
Teresa Covarrubias
Chris D.
Tom DeSavia
John Doe
Pleasant Gehman
Jack Grisham
Robert Lopez (aka El Vez)
Kristine McKenna
Chris Morris
Henry Rollins
Mike Watt
Jane Wiedlin


Music Credits:
All songs performed by X. ©John Doe & Exene Cervenka. Used with permission.
Lockwood Valley Music, admin by Pacific Electric Music Publishing / Grosso Modo Music / Penny Farthing Music (ASCAP)

“We’re Desperate”
“Your Phone’s off the Hook (But You’re Not)”
“I’m Coming Over”
“The Unheard Music”
“Nausea”
“White Girl”
Performed by X. From the album Live 1980

“The Worlds a Mess (It's In My Kiss)”
“Los Angeles”
Performed by X. From the film X: The Unheard Music
“The World's A Mess and Los Angeles” from 'The Unheard Music', directed by W. T. Morgan, used with permission by Angel City Media, LLC.

“Because I Do” X
Studio Rehearsal
Performed by X. ©John Doe & Exene Cervenka. Used with permission.

Awesome

X is one of the greatest American bands of all time, and this audiobook perfectly captures the LA scene they were born from. A true cast of characters indeed. Wow, the different narrators were as much fun as the story and helped me feel like I was part of that scene. Highly recommended.

one of my favorite books on a great scene

This is a great book about the Los Angeles punk scene told by those who survived it. Excited to hear that part 2 is in the works!

Riveting, meticulous, informative, important

Succinct and vitally important . History lesson presented in a very entertaining way. A snapshot crammed with important information from people who know.

Makes you wish you were punk

I was too young back in the day to experience this scene. Listening to this book and then listening to the bands mentioned on Spotify was a blast.

So Rad

Absolutely loved this book!! I came up right behind all these SoCal punks. Being from the Bay Area, I got into the Faction in the early 80’s. My first and only tattoo is an X that my buddy and I gave ourselves in 1986 with a needle we burned with a lighter and dipped into isopropyl alcohol and then applied with India Ink acquired from the local hobby shop. John Doe and all the originals tell such an awesome story. Thats it 🤘🏼